Offense: C+
Aside from running back Joique Bell, there wasn’t much consistency week-to-week. Mickey Mohner showed flashes, but at other times looked like a freshman quarterback. Troy Burrell, who led the team in receptions, was the only receiver who stood out.
Offensive coordinator
Paul Winters: B
Winters did what he had to do: use Bell, and use him as much as possible. The offense did improve in comparison to 2008, but was forced to throw a lot more than usual due to huge early deficits due to the defense.
Quarterbacks: C-
Mohner nearly threw for a team-record number of yards and touchdown passes in the finale against Grand Valley State, which shows he has the potential to be the No. 1 guy. He still made quite a few rookie mistakes (eight interception) and his internal clock needs to speed up. Zack George and Branko Hamilton didn’t have a significant impact the second half of the season.
Running backs: A
What more can be said about the tandem of Bell and Bruno Shkreli? Bell ran for a team-record 2,084 yards, was the second-leading receiver and could very well walk away with the prestigious Harlon Hill trophy. Shkreli, who like Bell is also a senior, spelled Bell on an infrequent basis, but never seemed to miss a beat.
Offensive line: B
The offensive line continued to be steady for most of the season and some of the quarterback hits and hurries are more a detriment to Mohner than that of the line. This group was also a huge factor in opening running lanes for Bell and Shkreli.
Receivers: C-
As mentioned earlier, aside from Burrell and Bell, this team didn’t have anybody step up and become the go-to receiver. Drops weren’t the same issue they were last year, but overall this unit was hardly consistent. Only four receivers had double-digit catches
Special teams: B+
Josh Renel and Shkreli were above-average in the return game, and senior Anthony Morasso proved to be a more-than-capable replacement for former kicking stud David Chudzinski.
Defense: D
The big question of 2009 was where the defense went. After beginning the season with a handful of solid performances, John Hauser’s squad looked as porous as that other football team in Detroit. The Warriors allowed 38 or more points in five of their last six games and a lack of takeaways doomed the unit.
Defensive coordinator John Hauser: C-
It’s hard to contemplate the frustration of Hauser, who was left scratching his head after many performances in the latter half of the season. To his credit, the defense did make appropriate second-half adjustments, but that doesn’t excuse the poor first-half efforts. Wayne State allowed 320 total points (including the offense), compared to 161 total in 2008.
Defensive line: D
This was an area of concern following last season, and the line was exposed as the season wore on. Though still young, it’s not an area to freak out about heading into next season, but it’s definitely something that needs to be addressed. Too little pressure on opposing quarterbacks allowed for clean reads and easy completions.
Linebackers: B
Undoubtedly the best group on the defense, Nick Thomas and Co. did what it could and made plays. Unfortunately for them, this group was sandwiched in between two problem areas — the defensive line and the secondary.
Secondary: D-
The secondary was picked on the entire second half of the season. As a defense, Wayne State finished 10th in the conference in interceptions, a statistic it led the GLIAC in during the 2008 season. Injuries to Brent Wisniewski (missed entire season) and Jeremy Jones (one game, left another game) had an impact, but it may have exposed a depth issue.
The South End's Karl Henkel grades Wayne State football after its 6-5 (5-5 GLIAC) finish.
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